It's been Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland... so it's "only" four

This research has been so much fun that probably I will keep dropping by some stores whenever I happen to be in the vicinity and have some spare time. As it has been cut short, it is obvious that I will keep posting about new experiences.

Congratulations on your excellent choice! Isn't it interesting that a musical instrument can engender such passion and give so much pleasure and fun. I hope that one day I can be in the same place you are in now, with a piano that has your name 'written' on it.

Vippo,

I'm surprised. August Forster is such an understated piano. I can't imagine it winning a sweepstakes against such high-powered competition.

Congratulations. You have my envy...for both your piano and your budget. I've only played Forsters at a dealership, but I got the sense that it's a piano that would really be at its best in a home environment. I'm sure your experience will prove that. Photos are optional, but soundfiles are a must.

My late teacher, at one time one of Sweden´s most well known pianists, had an August Förster at home. August Förster has been a strong name in Russia and he was an admirer of the Russian tradition. Prokofiev, among others, was an owner of August Förster. When it comes to music, the tastes of the Russians are hard to beat.

My personal experience with them varies but generally I would descibe them as warm, elegant and versatile.

It has been enjoyable to read of your journeys.

Congratulations on your new Forster!

Did I miss somewhere about the finish? Certainly the insides sound fantastic. Will you be visiting it regularly until it arrives home? Feb is a longggg way off!

LL

Vippo,
I'm so happy that you found the ideal piano for you, and thanks for taking us along for the ride! it's been so much fun to share your adventure. Congratulations!

Sophia

Many congratulations to your new piano - now you''l just have to wait until your new place is finished and you can actually play it.

Foerster make very fine instruments (that applies even more so when considering the prices they charge!) - I will report back on what I can see in their factory in September.

Markus

To Vippo,

Congratulations on your choice. Somehow, I felt in the back of my mind that you would end up with an AF.
For my part, it was definitely the number one piano - until I fell on the 7-foot Shigeru Kawai I ended up buying.

Surprisingly, the Shigeru and the AF are two extremly different pianos. In the end, it was a contest between two schools of pianos, I would say: the American mellow/harmonically-muddier tone school, and the European brilliant/fundamental-harmonic tone school. At the finish line, I realized that my pleasure and taste rest more with the American school.

It's interesting to note that the most accomplished American-school instrument I found was a Japanese grand which, previously, I considered too harsh in the treble and shallow in the bass as instruments. But Kawai undertook to produce a piano that would compete directly with Steinway and Mason & Hamlin - and succeeded. In fact, I would claim the Shigeru equals the Steinway and M&H in terms of action, definition and aesthetics. And at the level of tone, it surpasses them by carrying the quality of mellowness to the point of "velvetyness".

But no piano beats the AF's incredible bass.
Once again, Vippo, congratulations. And enjoy!

To Axtremus:

You asked me for a few pointers on places to visit in Montreal and Quebec. Nothing to point out in Quebec city. For the American and European brands, Montreal is not interesting at all. But it's a good place to look at the Asian products, especially Kawai and Yamaha. Concerning the Kawais, and especially the Shigeru Kawais, Italmelody, in Laval, has an interesting selection. In the Yamaha department, the best place is Archambault, in downtown Montreal. They practically carry only Yamaha and have an extensive selection. In my last visit at Archambault, I found it interesting to note how much the Yamahas have mellowed down recently and grown closer to the Steinway sound. But if you like this mellow quality, nothing beats the Shigeru velvet. Yamaha's S models are a great improvement and can compete with their equivalent Steinways, I would think, but they are still quite clear and don't exhibit the velvety, tranquil and serene tone of the Shigeru, especially in the central four octaves of the instrument. Nothing compares. I hope you have occasion to try them out. And I'm sure you'll like your visit in our little "France in America!

One last place of interest: Bouthillier Musique, in Montreal. They have a few Pramberger models -- a brand made by the Korean, Samick. A most interesting instrument to try out. Well prepared, it's a piano that can hold its own against many Steinways - for half the price.

Congratulations on your new purchase! I am in a similar position in that I bought a new piano about 3 months ago. If anything I am more excited to play it now than when I first received it.
Enjoy the time it takes for you to become acquainted with your new friend.

Ciao vippo,

P.S. Michael, if you are still around, I knew it already then that you probably had it right

I took a little time off from PW this summer and I was riding around the Pyrenees in early August, so missed the decisive post in this thread... so let me offer me my belated congratulations on such a fine decision! .

When the snows have melted a bit in the springtime, I may have to combine my great love of noisy things on two wheels and noisy (in a different way) things on castors, and ride my motorbike over the Alps, and try out your AF190 for myself !

Best wishes,

-Michael B.

Thank you, Michael! Of course you are most welcome, whenever you happen to be near Sterzing...

Heck, I missed the announcement too!

Congratulations, vippo. I think your search will stand in the archives as the prime example of how to do a search for a grand (visit exotic European cities, play exotic and fantastically expensive grands, then pick a beautiful yet affordable piano that sung to your heart). I am sure the next few months will be difficult indeed in the waiting.

well, for me those cities maybe are not quite as exotic as for you a few hundred km max as opposed to a few thousand make things look *a little* more familiar...

YOU BET! but then again, I can choose every day if I like to bite my nails about when that beauty of a house containing my future apartment finally will be finished, or if I prefer running around and crying out loud why that wonderful piano still is 430 km away from home...

Congratulations!

I missed your announcement as I was in Bulgaria at a music school. Coincidentally I got to monopolize a 9' AF for the better part of a week and while this particular piano had seen better days (30+ years of abuse in a somewhat run down school setting) I really came to appreciate the piano and wanted to figure out how I could smuggle it back home in my carry-on luggage so I could give it a good home!

congrats on the purchase. Now we all await the pictures when you finally get to play it!